VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Department of National Education agreed to strengthen educational cooperation in a bilateral meeting. It is said in a release by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in Jakarta on Tuesday (16/7/2024).

Ilustration of Factory (Photo by: Pexels.com)

VOINews, Jakarta: As part of the Tiongkok Atomic Energy Authority's (CAEA) nuclear industry development plan, the natural uranium project is being developed by the Tiongkok National Nuclear Corporation. This project aims to establish a top-tier natural uranium production base, prioritizing environmentally friendly, economical, intelligent, and efficient operations.

The project will employ an advanced mining process utilizing carbon dioxide and oxygen leaching. Unlike conventional underground mining methods, this technique can extract uranium through a closed-loop circulation of uranium solution without bringing ore to the surface for processing.

With this method, natural uranium production can achieve zero emissions of wastewater, gas, and solid waste, thus promoting sustainable operations with low carbon emissions.

The project will also integrate various advanced technologies such as automation, remote and centralized control, and big data analysis to achieve intelligent operational analysis and precision mining.

Upon completion, the project will significantly enhance Tiongkok's capacity for natural uranium supply and bolster the independent innovation capabilities and international competitiveness of the natural uranium industry, according to CAEA.

Natural uranium is the foundational material for the development of Tiongkok's nuclear industry and is a critical strategic resource and energy mineral essential for national security.

In 2023, nuclear power plants in Mainland Tiongkok generated 440,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, accounting for nearly 5 percent of the total national electricity output. The country has established an independent and comprehensive nuclear industry chain system, ensuring a safe and stable supply of nuclear fuel./Antara/VOI

Children relax in a fountain in Los Angeles, California, United States (July 5, 2024). ANTARA/Xinhua/Zeng Hui/aa.

VOINews, Jakarta: A severe heatwave has gripped a significant portion of the United States this summer, with large areas of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah under extreme heat warnings, according to official data and media reports.

As quoted by Antara on Saturday, more than 60 million U.S. residents have received heatwave warnings from the National Weather Service. Summer temperatures in these areas often range between 10 and 30 degrees above average, as reported by The New York Times on Friday (July 12).

"The consequences are increasingly evident in emergency rooms across the country. Medical workers are facing patients suffering from heatstroke, with body temperatures soaring to potentially fatal levels if not treated promptly," said The New York Times.

Approximately 2,300 people died from heat-related illnesses in the U.S. in 2023, a threefold increase from the annual average between 2004 and 2018. In the same year, nearly 120,000 emergency room visits related to heat were recorded nationwide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention./Antara/VOI

Production activities in the cocoa processing industry. (Photo: ANTARA/HO-Kemenperin)

VOINews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Cocoa Association (ASKINDO) and the Indonesian Chocolate Bean to Bar Association (ACBI) have expressed optimism regarding President Joko Widodo's recent establishment of institutional frameworks for the cocoa and coconut industries. This move is aimed at enhancing their global competitiveness.

"ASKINDO believes that this step is strategic to revive Indonesia's cocoa industry, which faces significant challenges in domestic cocoa bean availability and international trade competition," said ASKINDO Chairman Arief Susanto in Jakarta on Saturday.

Arief explained that the government's initiative to form two new deputy positions, namely the Cocoa Deputy and Coconut Deputy under the Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDPKS), could boost competitiveness by increasing product absorption in the domestic market, especially since 99% of Indonesia's cocoa is grown by smallholder farmers.

He emphasized that upcoming technical regulations aim to address the need for quality planting materials close to cocoa farming centers, ensure availability and access to subsidized fertilizers, and provide field extension agents for the sector.

Meanwhile, ACBI Chairperson Olivia Putri Prawiro stated that the government's policy was timely to counter Indonesia's declining cocoa production in recent years. According to Ministry of Industry data, cocoa production has decreased by 8.3% annually from 2015 to 2023, while imports have increased from 239,377 to 276,683 tons.

"With proper management, we hope these institutional frameworks will positively impact farmers and the industry, leading to increased productivity, cocoa quality, processed products, and assurance of harvest absorption for farmers," she added.

The Ministry of Industry initiated the establishment of these institutions to ensure raw material availability, enhance competitiveness, and increase economic value added (EVA) from these sectors.

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita highlighted that President Joko Widodo had chaired a limited meeting on the Cocoa and Coconut Fund Management Agency, which decided to entrust the management of both sectors to BPDPKS by establishing the two new deputy positions./Antara/VOI